Kevin Quiambao’s timely three-pointer in the final 9.8 seconds powered the defending champions, La Salle Green Archers, to a thrilling 78-75 victory over the National University Bulldogs on Sunday night in the 87th University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament.
With the score deadlocked at 75-all, Quiambao’s game-winning trey gave the Green Archers a much-needed boost, securing them a share of the early lead alongside the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, Adamson Falcons, and University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers.
The clutch shot capped off a decisive 14-4 run that allowed La Salle to erase a 64-67 deficit in the final eight minutes of the game.
Quiambao, standing at 6’7” and in his final season with La Salle, delivered a stellar performance, finishing with 22 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, cementing his role as the team’s key player.
Despite Jake Figueroa and PJ Palacio’s combined 15-point contributions for the Bulldogs, and Jolo Manansala’s crucial attack that tied the game at 75 with 1:25 remaining, NU couldn’t hold off La Salle’s late-game heroics.
